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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBill Maher is becoming an insufferable clown.
Last edited Sun Sep 12, 2021, 08:41 PM - Edit history (1)
Remember that adage of people becoming caricatures of themselves? Real Time seems to be getting worse as Bill turns into a budget Joe Rogan / curmudgeon stereotype, whining about the youngins stepping on his lawn and playing loud rock music.
The people hes platformed this year are a cavalcade of abysmal circus clowns. Its been a line up of anti-vax kooks, grifters, and transphobes. We get it Bill - you think vaccines are poison, and transgender women are mentally ill men (does Bill know that trans men exist? Intense doubt.). Platforming these people is one thing, but Bill seems to passively agree with them, or just say nothing against their vile sputum. Bill never shuts up about how much he hates Liberals, but when Ben Shapiro lied through his teeth, it was as if someone found Bills mute button and pressed it.
His show format sucks now too. Remember when we had a three guest panel, and a final guest appearance at the end? I know they have COVID rules, but Im sure the same panel size could be accomplished in other creative ways. Given the guests Bill invites now, a higher number of voices would probably be better too, and less infuriating.
Bills constant whining about millennials (and now gen Z) is nauseating. We get it Bill - you think that the younger demographic side of the country is full of spoiled children that want to sit around and paint our nails all day rather than doing real work. This sounds eerily similar to the insipid Republican meme that the younger generations are lazy commies that are only poor because they arent working hard enough. I dont know whats worse - this, or Bills incessant sniveling about his now-installed solar panels?
What really set me off to write this was last episode. Regarding COVID, Bill outright said that the scientists are wrong, and that he knows more than the scientists. Really Bill? Can you really allow your ego to expand and stretch further? Arent you afraid itll burst, exerting a shockwave much like that of a thermonuclear warhead? Perhaps this is all an elaborate performance to demonstrate the Dunning-Kruger effect in real time?
In closing, this feels like more of a post mortem of a show thats dumpster-ready. The arrogant blowhard shtick only goes so far if you become that which you are parodying.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Readers who remember Spy Magazine will know what I'm talking about.
BlueJac
(7,838 posts)And now loses more viewers with his lack of judgement. Haven't watched him in years.
TallJohn
(27 posts)I was unaware that he ever wasn't.
dchill
(38,481 posts)AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)liberaltrucker
(9,129 posts)Tommymac
(7,263 posts)Never liked him. Watched him once and that was enough.
He is just a hair more entertaining and funnier then Dennis Miller, and that is like saying that whale shit is slightly higher then the ocean floor.
Earth-shine
(4,001 posts)People would upload the show, and most uploads would be promptly taken down.
Not this year. It's like they're giving it away on YouTube.
Crunchy Frog
(26,579 posts)Corgigal
(9,291 posts)with anyone he considers fat? I guess he never considered any medical issue because everyone is just fat because they are constantly eating. Not everyone has a chef, or the correct doctor for diet pills and cosmetic surgery? Bill has no family, his choice. Now he gets to age alone, or will have to pay others to give a flip about him. Still has to be seen with 20 year old women, cause hes the man. Kind of lame at his age.
Maybe its all about the leaded gasoline we used when we were kids. It makes us cranky. I just think it you arent thankful for every day, then the fear of morality takes away your humanity.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)When I went to Europe you could pick out the Americans every time. Is severely impacts our healthcare costs and we have more diabetes that any other nation. Sometimes we need to reflect on our health and not take it personally. Let's face it America is fat.
dsc
(52,160 posts)as you point out, Europe isn't as obese as the US yet our death rate is comparable to theirs.
madville
(7,408 posts)Regardless we know that obesity is one of the top risk factors for negative COVID outcomes (hospitalization and death). Obesity and its related conditions (Diabetes, impaired immune function, etc) are also the primary reason for the racial disparities in COVID outcomes here in the US since Black and Hispanic/Latino obesity rates are higher than White obesity rates.
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/obesity-and-covid-19.html#:~:text=%E2%80%A2%20Having%20obesity%20increases%20the,to%20impaired%20immune%20function.
dsc
(52,160 posts)he said "the death rates are highest in countries with the highest obesity rates" that isn't true.
madville
(7,408 posts)The statement is too simplistic. You would have to take into account the vaccination rate of the country and other factors, such as the age of the population, cardiovascular and diabetic rates, etc.
We know obesity increases the likelihood of hospitalization and death when infected with COVID, but it's only one of many factors that can affect overall death rates.
Elessar Zappa
(13,975 posts)Its quite another to mock obese people and thats exactly what Maher does.
AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)Really aren't concerned about obese peoples' health. They're just layering their prejudice behind "science."
Casady1
(2,133 posts)are overweight I have not seen mocking. Let's face it we avoid the overweight topics all the time.
Dorian Gray
(13,493 posts)I've seen a ton of articles about obesity and people talk about weight all the time.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)are overweight I have not seen mocking. Let's face it we avoid the overweight topics all the time.
kcr
(15,315 posts)You must be fun to travel with.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)American stick out by how we dress and how heavy we are.
Oneironaut
(5,493 posts)He seems unaware that he comes across as an insecure windbag. The perfect solution to obesity is for every American to have their personal chef cook low calorie, non-GMO, organic meals from farm to table daily - am I right Bill?
Casady1
(2,133 posts)weight problem in America?
Oneironaut
(5,493 posts)I think theres a right way to talk about it, and it includes not casting yourself as a physically fit person vs. those unhealthy obese people that could easily be skinny.
I think the issue is more nuanced, and there is not an easy solution. Bills approach is to be an insensitive ass about it, and that wont change anything.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)People in this country feel sorry for themselves all the time. Look at the comments on this topic and the responses by many. I don't have a chef (really). Maybe once in a while people have to hear the truth. I feel the same about people not taking the vaccine. The excuses ring hollow.
meadowlander
(4,395 posts)localroger
(3,626 posts)Maher is a very flawed individual, but he is right about a lot of shit and this is one of those things.
meadowlander
(4,395 posts)Do you know what's the only diet that has ever worked for me? Moving away from America.
If you live in a work culture that forces you to exhaust yourself and a built environment that makes if hard to access healthy food and exercise and a health care system that doesn't want to spend a penny until you're already sick and then only on pharmaceuticals many of which make you gain weight or make it almost impossible to lose it then *surprise* you're going to get fat. 70% of the American population is fat. Every country in the world that has adopted an American lifestyle has become dramatically fatter.
But yes, let's pretend this is a problem that is strictly about individuals' willpower and character because that's so much more satisfying to people who are lucky enough not to have the same struggles that people battling obesity have.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)and guess what I am doing. I am limiting my eating. It is about as heavy as I have ever been. In most cases it is how much we eat. There are a million excuses for being overweight but number one reason why America is heavy is food consumption.
meadowlander
(4,395 posts)I lost 80 pounds and kept it off for the last 15 years. How did I do it?
Moving to a country with appropriate work-life balance where I'm not constantly stressed and bombarded by junk food advertising 24/7, where I can walk or cycle to work safely without having to pass a fast food restaurant on every single corner, where restaurants don't insist on serving you three portions of everything at every meal and where they don't put high fructose corn syrup in your yogurt at the grocery store.
But yeah - obesity is totally an issue about lazy weak-willed people who aren't as clever as you and haven't figured out that eating too much makes you gain weight and really need to hear your inspiring story of once having to go up a jean size until you pulled yourself up by your bootstraps.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)any personal responsibility. People in America used to not be so fat. Just because there are fast food restaurants on every corner does not excuse many of us for gaining weight. I would like to think I can have some self control. Stop blaming society. This is exactly the reason why Bill Maher is down on our obesity. Blame everyone except the person who is obese.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)Casady1
(2,133 posts)and some is not. Sometimes the liberals do need to be criticized however if you watched the last show George w Will was his insufferable self.
EYESORE 9001
(25,932 posts)Besides ending a sentence with a preposition?
AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)Happy Hoosier
(7,295 posts)Tommymac
(7,263 posts)You do know this is a liberal website, by and large.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)the liberals was just a way of saying that liberals sometimes take themselves to seriously. there is nothing wrong with a little critcism.
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)Damn right I am sensitive - been taking unjustified shit from conservatives for 40 years for being a liberal - I don't take kindly to liberals being called out here unjustly on DU.
Have a nice day.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)bother me at all. I just think they are assholes.
JanMichael
(24,885 posts)StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)Looks like someone's slip is showing ...
Casady1
(2,133 posts)I'll put that one in my memory and use it next time.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)Between Maher and anything on cable news, I wish people would blink or something to let us know if they're being forced to watch these programs.
I think Maher gets heat in the way that most heretics do. He's a liberal, but if he goes outside of the prevailing dogma, he needs to be burned at the stake. This is why we get tons of posts about him, but zero about someone like, say, Greg Gutfield.
It's an odd human psychological impulse to punish those within the group until they either break and return to conformity or are cast out and ostracized. Outside the group? Who cares.
We see it in most religions, but any ideology will do. It's not only Maher, of course. Look at anyone on the Left that doesn't toe the line. They're attacked more viciously and more frequently by some people than any right-winger.
Susan Sarandon's like their head witch at this point.
Which I will never not find fucking hilarious.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Oneironaut
(5,493 posts)Criticizing someone for being anti-vax, or for platforming and soft-balling people like Ben Shapiro is an example of dogma? Really?
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)It's really easy.
I don't agree with him on all things. Certainly not his views on vaccination.
I absolutely agreed with him this week about how no one is willing to tackle the obesity issue. It's not politically popular to even attempt it. Our side will just call everyone "fatphobic" for noting that nearly four in five Covid deaths came from the obese.
His rants about public health are usually righteous. I part ways with him on his vaccine commentary. The rest? He's absolutely correct.
He platforms all kinds of people, Right and Left. It's why I watch him. If you want only liberal or Democratic guests, there are plenty of shows that cater to the wish for a bubble. People should seek those out. Leave some shows for those of us who like exposure to a diversity of views.
I don't care for heavy metal. Really not my taste. Cool for those who do, though. And yet somehow, I don't sit through a Pantera album and then go on an internet tear about it after. Weird, right?
Oneironaut
(5,493 posts)Rather, I want him to challenge far right ideas rather than just sitting there passively. Its like he just sits back now and lets the guests do all the work for him. He softballed Ben Shapiro so bad that it was frustrating.
I do like his show, but its a crappier version of what it was 5 years ago. Im offering criticism rather than a black and white I hate his show.
His vaccine politics are straight up insufferable. Hes turning into a woo peddler and its frustrating.
misanthrope
(7,411 posts)Malcolm Nance was handling that fine on his own.
Oneironaut
(5,493 posts)Hes had less assertive guests against right wing hacks, or absolute lunatics in his 1-on-1 segments, and he gives the same treatment.
Hes the host, and is technically the interviewer. He should be more adept at pointing out inaccuracies and grilling people.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)Hasnt he publicly claimed to be a Libertarian? I interviewed him years ago and he thought Democrats were a joke.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)But he's definitely a liberal. He has repeatedly said the environment should be taken out of the hands of private enterprise, that capitalism will not get it done, and only a big, controlling federal government will truly solve the issue.
He's for big government on many things.
He just believes in personal choice on other issues. Drugs, vaccines, etc.
He has his bugaboos about some things, but so do we all.
AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)Liberals can have differences of opinion. Maher and I are both liberal. I disagree with him on vaccines.
Not too difficult.
AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)He got the Covid vaccine. I don't care. I watch him for other reasons.
You're very free to not watch him.
I've never seen a single episode of Bridgerton. I also don't bounce around online telling everyone why I don't watch Bridgerton or why they shouldn't want to watch Bridgerton either.
The constant not watching updates are kind of funny, though. Only because they happen almost weekly, unceasingly. I imagine people in a bunker, a little ham radio off to the side with a microphone set up. "Day 322. I am still not watching this show. Supplies of white cheddar cheetohs are running low. Sources reveal the show will be on hiatus for several months, but we remain vigilant. Our sister outpost reports movement from Chuck Todd. We will keep you updated throughout the night."
It really is hilarious to me.
No one really cares, and life really isn't that serious. But we like to pretend so if we saw it on the internet.
AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)misanthrope
(7,411 posts)Well said.
FakeNoose
(32,634 posts)Last edited Sun Sep 12, 2021, 04:58 PM - Edit history (1)
To me he's an entertainer/comedy host who might pretend to be liberal sometimes. But deep down in his heart of hearts, he's really a libertarian.
As a sarcastic comedian he gets to lambast the Repukes when it serves his purposes. But it seems he hates all politicians equally.
wnylib
(21,438 posts)wnylib
(21,438 posts)kcr
(15,315 posts)are being held at gunpoint. I wish people would blink or something to let us know if they're being forced to read their posts.
Seriously. His fans are almost like a cult.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)He's a bit smarmy for me. I just enjoy the show sometimes. Don't even watch every week.
But the ceaseless, weekly "I don't watch!" group chant cracks me up. It's just an attempt at conformity. "Person doesn't believe what I do or has people on I don't like! Burnnnnn himmmmm." Then the communal reassurance that said hatred is socially acceptable within the sphere.
Love this stuff. It's an absolute blast for me. Seriously considering doing my master's thesis on it. The psychological causes and effects of social media bubbles on political conformity and potential increase in radicalization. So, I'm having the best of times. It's half research, half amusement at this point.
Note that in a sea of mutual social assurance, it's the one little hook that merits the strongest response.
I find this shit fascinating.
kcr
(15,315 posts)any time someone posts about how they don't like him? But I imagine you'll probably eventually have to find some other way to amuse yourself. I predict the Maher fans will go the way of Greenwald and Assange around here. Both also had rabid fans who would cry whenever anyone would criticize them, but they eventually dwindled and disappeared.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)he knows right and wrong, he mostly says the right things. But there's something wrong with him. He's wired to betray what he claims to support and those who trust him. It's supposed to be self destructive behavior, but his success says it's a sellable schtick in our age.
You know, that fable about the scorpion and frog is very old. Maher's a type.. And like him or despise him, every adult should be able to recognize him from his behavior.
The fable ends, "Because it's my nature." And some versions go on, "You knew what I was."
Yes.
Paladin
(28,254 posts)USALiberal
(10,877 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,339 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)If not, not sure why...
Walleye
(31,017 posts)Happy Hoosier
(7,295 posts)Perfect example of a guy who smells his own farts and thinks its pot pourri. No selfreflexivity AT ALL.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)Certainly, he has every right to be an atheist and not believe. But many people do believe and their beliefs are genuine and important to them - Just as genuine and important as his non-believing is to him.
I found it deeply offensive to listen to him disparage people for their beliefs and hold himself up as morally and intellectually superior to those who believe in God. That, among other things, is why I don't find him funny, interesting or worth my time.
Comedy can sometimes be cruel, especially good comedy. But that cruelty is a byproduct, not the point. Maher's comedy, if you can call it that, is driven by cruelty. It's the whole point. And it's not funny. He's not even clever, just mean, self-righteous and obnoxious.
Ferrets are Cool
(21,106 posts)I am no Bill apologist, but I do doubt he "attacking" religion has cost even ONE life, whereas "religion" has cost the human race countless lives. All in the name of "fill in the blank".
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)relayerbob
(6,544 posts)Dumpster ready? He's been a dumpster resident for many years.
Iggo
(47,552 posts)Now hes one to you.
liberalhistorian
(20,818 posts)He's been one for years!
mucifer
(23,539 posts)That was decades ago. Studs was a guest. Studs asked him to repeat things a few times. Bill was awful. He was so bad the Black republican woman on the panel chewed him out.
LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)He's a white, rich male. I'm 5 years younger than he is, but unlike him IF a policeman pulls me over and we get into a conversation, the cop may think I'm looking at him funny or not replying to him correctly, he decides to tell me to get out of my car, I get scared then he pulls me out of the car and kills me because he CAN (I'm not very big, plus I'm Native-American & African-American). I'm nervous driving in the day time, let alone drive at NIGHT. Hell no. Driving while Native-American & African-American?
Hell, walking through a park, picking up garbage in front of your OWN home, mowing your OWN lawn can get you arrested/hand-cuffed and possibly worse while black now-a-days. He would never understand that, and certainly has never walked a mile in MY shoes.
Never say never, but I seriously DON'T think that he'd be treated in the same way I'd be treated and I'm a woman, but am multi-racial, and multi-racial and African-Americans are still being beaten up and some still being murdered by policemen
mountain grammy
(26,619 posts)but saw a show a few weeks back with Jane Coaston.. first time I ever saw her and she was a complete delight.. been following her ever since. And that's what Maher has done for me over the years, and he used to be hilarious.
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)I'll watch it when I want to
Elessar Zappa
(13,975 posts)This is a discussion site so you should expect opinions that differ from yours.
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,329 posts)Ferrets are Cool
(21,106 posts)LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)he started going too right for my taste. I get that as you age, you may become more conservative on some things (Not like GQP/US Taliban Conservative), but he's been too far right for me the last few years, so I stopped watching him.
totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)It does not exist as a source of facts or straight news and it certainly isn't meant to be politically correct. And of course the solution if you don't like it is just turn it off. And I don't even get it since I don't waste my money on subscribing to HBO.
AZSkiffyGeek
(11,009 posts)You know what political correctness is? Not being an asshole.
pwb
(11,261 posts)He turned Dennis Miller a long time ago. Uppity comedy doesn't work for me.
wellst0nev0ter
(7,509 posts)Then he had a sort of Come to Jesus moment when he was literally cancelled for saying terrorists slamming airplanes into buildings aren't cowards.
Maher's "Real Time" WAS the resistance against Dumbya compared to the jingoistic drumbeat you see on mainstream media at the time. But Maher's true colors have been magnified starting with the backdrop of the Obama years, and #MeToo sent Maher off the cliff.
PortTack
(32,762 posts)Silent3
(15,210 posts)...over the past few months too. I didn't even mind many of the things he said that definitely rubbed some people the wrong way around here. But without Trump to focus most of his ire on, he's just being too pointlessly contrarian about a lot of things, and much less funny.
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,168 posts)Maher has not been funny for a very long time and lately he has been just plain dumb
budkin
(6,701 posts)And wants his audience.
LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)He has been flubbing jokes a lot lately.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)But I think it is the pot. And I love pot. I distinctly remember him saying once, that he doesnt smoke up before the show, but I think he is high all the time. Way way harder to spot than a day drunk.
It is great for relaxing, but it can easily slow down your wit.
Skittles
(153,156 posts)are you just now figuring that out?
ecstatic
(32,699 posts)but lately he steps in it every single week! He really should retire while he still has some dignity left.
The most recent last straw came a few weeks ago when he had the nerve to suggest that American liberals have no right to complain about anything because we have it good compared to people living in Afghanistan and other tough places.
Excuse me? And the worst part of his rant was that he seemed to be focused on liberals who are seeking equal justice and rights under the law. To that I say, fuck you Bill, you hypocritical jackass!
Oneironaut
(5,493 posts)The You think its as bad as Somalia here!? people make me laugh. Its like saying, Why are you complaining about racism? Try living in North Korea! Therefore, by extension, theyre ok with doing nothing to better ourselves as a nation because others have it worse.
meadowlander
(4,395 posts)but prefers to cash in on his rant of the week instead of having any kind of ideological consistency.
His show has not evolved since the late 90s when for some reason all the television producers decided that what people really wanted to see was people arguing with each other.
Points that have been made to Maher repeatedly and that he refuses to take on board:
1. Ranting about "political correctness" is really just defensiveness about being called out for being an inconsiderate asshole. Defending this kind of behaviour, which Maher has done for decades, leads in a straight, bright line to Trumpism.
2. Both-siderism in the media is part of the toxic stew in political commentary that led us to Trump. And yet he invites Steve Schmidt on his progam and instead of letting him talk about why he hates Trump who was literally destroying the country that week, Maher baits him about Title IX for the better part of twenty minutes until he can get Schmidt to agree that he still disagrees with Democrats about some things. What is the point of that other than a pathological inability to go through a whole show without having the panel dissolve into a shouting match?
Bill Maher isn't an insufferable clown. He's a contrarian dinosaur who has failed to learn the most important lessons of the past five years and demonstrates that failure every week on his show.
myccrider
(484 posts)Havent been able to stand him for several years, stopped even watching parts of his show. The hub still watches him every Friday, though. Im in the bedroom reading.
brooklynite
(94,517 posts)msfiddlestix
(7,281 posts)actually stronger moniker would work for me..
I know there are fans here, but I have never been one of them.
betsuni
(25,475 posts)Dorian Gray
(13,493 posts)the guy has given a platform to Ann Coulter for years and years. It's not new that he's doing this.